Ask Endora

Dear Endora,

My mother said years ago she used to listen to a show called ”Hawaii Calls,” and this is how people used to have entertainment. Have you heard about this?

Sara - Texas

Dear Sara,

It was Webley Edwards whose voice was heard upon opening each ”Hawaii Calls” broadcast. This show started in 1935 and was broadcast to 750 radio channels, worldwide, each week at its heyday in 1952. It was actually broadcast live at the Moana Surfrider - which was the first hotel in Hawaii, it opened in March 1901. You can actually find ”Hawaii Calls” cd’s if you want to listen to what others long ago pined for week after week!

Regards,
   Endora

Dear Endora,

My friend told me that you have to have a license by the state of Hawaii to be a beach boy. Silly - is she just pulling my leg?

Andrea - Idaho

Dear Andrea,

Well darling your friend is not pulling your leg. In Hawaii, and actually in Waikiki, the ”beach boys” got their start in the 1930’s.

They were a short of beach patrol who were ambassadors of Waikiki - they served the needs of celebrities, royalty, and the general public alike. They talked story and were well regarded. In fact, the author James Michener said of them, ”Without these remarkable people the island would be nothing. With them, it is a carnival. They are generous, courageous, and comic... They are perpetual adolescents of the ocean, the playboys of the Pacific...”

The Waikiki Beach Boys are a group of individuals who are licensed by the state to teach surfing, canoe riding and must be regularly qualified in life saving techniques.

All the best,
   Endora

Dear Endora,

Is Waikiki Beach the only beach in Waikiki? I have read that some hotels are by other beaches and I am getting confused?

Amee - California

Dear Amee,

Everyone who comes to Waikiki will think that the main stretch of beach in front of the majority of the hotels is Waikiki but actually they have different names. Waikiki is located right in front of the Moana Surfrider, Outrigger Waikiki and Royal Hawaiian. Further towards Diamond Head is Kuhio Beach Park where you will find the Pacific Beach Hotel, Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort, Hyatt Regency, Waikiki Beach Hotel and the Waikiki Sunset. Heading towards the opposite direction on the other side of Waikiki Beach is Gray’s Beach - here you will find the Sheraton Waikiki Beach Hotel and the Halekulani, headed past this area is Fort deRussy Beach Park where you will find the Waikiki Shore and then nothing ‘til you hit the Hilton Hawaiian Village where you will be at Kahanamoku Beach, named after famed Olympic medalist Duke Kahanamoku.

But truthfully all the beaches are pretty close to each other, no matter where you stay in Waikiki you will be within a short walk to any beach!

Have fun in the sun,
   Endora